Menu of this site

The village of Porto Cristo in Majorca - Caves of Harpoons (Coves dels Hams)

Edited page
Topics[Photos] [Presentation] [Location] [Visits] [Culture] [Practical Information] [Other topics]

[Previous topics] [Balearic Islands] [Parent topics] [Via Gallica]

IntroductionIntroduction

General presentationGeneral presentation
Caves of Harpoons, or Caves of hooks, are karst caves located in Porto Cristo on the east coast (county of Levant) of the island of Majorca.

Their originality lies in the transparent stalactites shaped spears and their beautiful underground lake.

EtymologyEtymology and toponymy
Caves of Harpoons (Coves dels Hams in Catalan Spanish Cuevas dels Hams in Castilian Spanish) owe their name to stalactites and stalagmites shaped spears or hooks (hams in Majorcan Catalan) of one of the rooms.

LocationLocation

Harpoons caves are in the municipality of Manacor, about 1200 m west of the coastal town of Porto Cristo, on the road from Manacor to Porto Cristo.

VisitsVisits

CaveCaves of Harpoons (Coves dels Hams)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Map of the caves. Click to enlarge the image.The Caves of the Harpoons (Cuevas del Hams) were the first caves Mallorca to be open to the public in 1910. This is Lorenzo Caldentey, a son of the discoverer of Harpoons caves, the caves which equipped with an electric lighting system powered by a hydroelectric turbine to organize shows and tours.

Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Cave of Harpoons (Jarke author). Click to enlarge the image.Multilingual guides lead visitors on a journey of about 500 meters across twelve different rooms, the names more or less lyrical.

The caves are home to several lakes, including the "Sea of Venice", the greatest of all, where is presented a show "Magical Mozart"…

The entrance to the Cave
It is here that Pedro Caldentey discovered the cave in 1905 while digging the rock in search of onyx. You can still see the marks of blows peak in stone.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Entering caves. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Entering caves. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The Chapel. Click to enlarge the image.
The Hall of March 2 (Sala del Dos de Marzç / Sala del Dos de Marzo)
The name of this room remember the date of the discovery of the cave, March 2, 1905. This room has curious geological formations like eg a herd of elephants, a waterfall or two fountains.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Hall March 2. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Hall March 2. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Hall March 2. Click to enlarge the image.
The Owls Hall (Sala de les Òlibes / Sala de las Lechuzas)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Hall of owls. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Hall of owls. Click to enlarge the image.Upon discovery of the cave, live owls were found in this room. There are fantastic shapes, a large hanging upside down and a couple of dancers fish.
The Dream of an Angel (El Somni d’un Ángel / El Sueño de Ángel one)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Dream of an Angel" room. Click to enlarge the image.The living "The Dream of an Angel" is the finest, delicate and beautiful cave room, hence its name. This room has many amazing formations that go in all directions, creating a unique landscape of great beauty.

These stalactites resemble spears or hooks (hams in Majorcan), which gave their name to the caves.

Scientists have not yet found an explanation for these unique tree formations, called helictites.

Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Dream of an Angel" room. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Dream of an Angel" room. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Dream of an Angel" room. Click to enlarge the image.
The Hall of the Images (Sala de les Imatges / Sala de las imagined)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Living Images". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Living Images". Click to enlarge the image.Images in the room we discovered many formations resembling statues, some of which even remember the characters of the nativity scene.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Living Images". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Living Images". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Living Images". Click to enlarge the image.
The Valley of Earthly Delights (La Vall de les Delicies / El Valle de las Delicias)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Valley of Earthly Delights". Click to enlarge the image.Valley of Earthly Delights is the highest inside point of the cave, it offers a panoramic view of several rooms. A curious formation resembling a cat one notices.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Valley of Earthly Delights". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Valley of Earthly Delights". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Valley of Earthly Delights". Click to enlarge the image.
LakeLake of the Enchanted City (Llac de la Cuitat Encantada / Lago de la Ciudad Encantada)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Magic City". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Magic City". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Magic City". Click to enlarge the image.
Lost Paradise (El Paradís Perdut / El Paraíso Perdido)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - "Paradise Lost". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - "Paradise Lost". Click to enlarge the image.The room of "Lost Paradise" has a wide variety of formations resembling characters, castles and so on. Extensive training like the Virgin of Montserrat, "La Moreneta".

This room takes its name from an epic poem of the English poet John Milton (1608-1674), "Lost Paradise", which was an admirer Pere Calendey.

Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - "Paradise Lost". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - "Paradise Lost". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - "Paradise Lost". Click to enlarge the image.
LakeLake of the Column (Llac de la Columna / Lago de la Columna)
LakeLake "Sea of Venice" (Mar de Venecia / Mar de Venecia)
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Sea of Venice". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Sea of Venice". Click to enlarge the image.Lake "Sea of Venice" is the largest sheltered in caves Harpoons lakes. Its water is slightly salty (2% salt), which implies a communication with the sea, and contains small crustaceans specific blind caves.

This is what made ​​the show "Magical Mozart". This underground lake is less extensive than that of the Dragon Caves.

Graveyard of the Fairies (El Cemetiri de les Fades / El Cementerio de las Hadas)
Cemeteries of the Fairies contains stalagmites resembling cypress or a pantheon with a statue that suggest different forms. Ceiling is a curious mushroom-shaped stalactite. We also discover different types of rocks of various colors: white rocks are calcium carbonate, brown rocks, iron oxide, gray-green rocks, copper oxide.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The Graveyard Fairy. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The Graveyard Fairy. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The Graveyard Fairy. Click to enlarge the image.
PalaceThe Imperial Palace (Palau Imperial / Palacio Imperial)
The room "Imperial Palace" present formations whose dimensions suggest sumptuous palaces with large columns supporting the roof. This is the last room of the cave.
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Imperial Palace". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Imperial Palace". Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Imperial Palace". Click to enlarge the image.

KnowledgeHistory, geography, arts, traditions, flora…

HistoryHistory
Harpoons caves were discovered March 2, 1905 by Pere Caldentey which ended exploration in 1907.

InformationPractical Information

General informationGeneral information
The Caves of Harpoons, unlike the Dragon Caves, photographs - without flash - are allowed.
Visiting hoursVisiting hours
Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Prospectus. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Map of the caves. Click to enlarge the image.Coves dels Hams

Harpoons caves are accessible by road Manacor, Porto Cristo, 1 km from Porto Cristo.

Address: Carretera Ma-4020 Manacor - Porto Cristo, Km 11

Phone: 00 34 971 820 988

Site on the Web: www.cuevas-hams.com

Summer hours (from 16 March to 31 October): daily, from 10:30 to 17:00.

Winter hours (November 1 to March 15): 11:00 to 16:30.

Price high entry: 19 € with the spectacle of light and sound!

The tour, led by multilingual guides (in eleven languages ​​…) groups, takes about half an hour.

Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - Magical Mozart. Click to enlarge the image.Caves Harpoons (Hams) in Mallorca - The "Sea of Venice". Click to enlarge the image.Visitors can also enjoy the show "Magical Mozart" concert music (excerpts from "The Magic Flute") accompanied by the play of light: musicians sail on the lake "The Sea of Venice" in a boat decorated with planks candles. A show somewhat similar to that of the Dragon Caves (Coves del Drac).

Other topicsOther topics

Filiation of the topics
Balearic Islands > Majorca > County of Llevant > Manacor > Porto Cristo > Caves of the Harpoons
More detailed topics
Close topics
The village of Porto Cristo in Majorca - The Dragon Caves (Coves del Drac)
The village of Porto Cristo in Majorca - The caves of the Harpoons (Coves dels Hams)
Broader topics
Balearic Islands
The village of Porto Cristo in Majorca
[Previous topics] [Parent topics] [Minorca] [Majorca] [Ibiza] [Formentera] [Cabrera] [Home page] [Balearic Islands] [Via Gallica]
Search on this Site
Search on the Web
Recommend this page
Recommend this site
AlbanieAllemagneAngleterreArméniePays basqueBiélorussieBulgarieCatalogneCroatieDanemarkEspagneEstonieFinlandeFranceGalicePays de GallesGéorgieGrèceHongrieIrlandeIslandeItalieEmpire romainLettonieLithuanieMacédoineMalteNorvègePays-BasPolognePortugalRoumanieRussieSerbieSlovaquieSlovénieSuèdeTchéquieUkraïne
If you reached this frame directly, click on this link to reveal the menus.